. >> host: hurricane sandy. >> guest: yes. >> host: um, what is your assessment? there have been reports that up to 25% of cell towers in the northeast have been knocked out, that people are now using pay phones because their service is not working. what is your assessment of the carriers and their ability to maintain phone service for people in these affected areas? >> guest: peter, first of all, allow me to thank you, the both of you, for allowing me to be here today. um, also, my condolences, of course, go out to the families. there are many loved ones who were lost in this, in this tragic event, so my condolences go out to them, and, of course, hats off to those brave first responders who answered, continue to answer the call. in terms of the fcc' engagement as you know, the chairman literally spent the night at the agency. public safety person did the same. and we are definitely engaged in the process, have been working firsthand with fema to make an overall assessment. you're right in terms of those initial numbers, that up to 25% of cell towers were disable